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Best Beginner Motorcycles - Beginner Friendly (US) (2023)

770 motorcycles in 2023
Scooters Underbones Naked Motorcycles Sportbikes Sport Tourers Touring Motorcycles Cruisers Adventure Motorcycles Dual-Sport Motorcycles Enduro Bikes Motocross Bikes Supermotos Trials Bikes Minibikes Electric Motorcycles Beginner Friendly
A2 Legal (EU/UK) LAMS Eligible (Australia) Beginner Friendly (US)
How this is worked out: eligibility below is calculated from each motorcycle's published power and weight specs, not an official legal determination. EU/UK A2 uses the real formula (≤35kW, power-to-weight ≤0.2kW/kg) but can't account for factory-restricted variants of a more powerful base model. Australia's LAMS scheme is officially an approved list, not a pure formula - the power-to-weight ratio shown (≤150kW/tonne) is a strong indicator but always check the current state LAMS list before buying. The US has no federal beginner power cap, so those picks reflect commonly-recommended low-power specs, not a legal requirement. Always confirm current rules with your local licensing authority.
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How this list is ranked - 2023 models, scored out of 100

No manufacturer pays to appear or to rank higher. A high score means a strong, well-documented bike for its class - always check the full specs and the size comparison for your own fit.

#2172023 Suzuki Access 125
2023 Suzuki Access 125
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 8.7 hp · 112 kg · 773 mm seat
#2182023 Lexmoto LXS 125
2023 Lexmoto LXS 125
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 13.8 hp · 155 kg · 790 mm seat · 3 ratings
The 2023 Lexmoto LXS 125 is an entry-level sport bike designed for new and budget-conscious riders seeking an …
#2192023 Herald Classic 125
2023 Herald Classic 125
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 10 hp · 126 kg · 740 mm seat
The 2023 Herald Classic 125 is an affordable, beginner-friendly commuter designed for novice riders and urban …
#2202023 Honda CMX1100
2023 Honda CMX1100
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 85.8 hp · 223 kg · 700 mm seat
The 2023 Honda CMX1100 is a modern cruiser designed for riders seeking classic styling with contemporary perfo…
#2212023 Italjet Dragster 200
2023 Italjet Dragster 200
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 17.5 hp · 124 kg · 770 mm seat
The 2023 Italjet Dragster 200 is a stylish 181cc scooter designed for urban commuters and riders seeking retro…
#2222023 Honda Unicorn
2023 Honda Unicorn
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 12.7 hp · 140 kg · 798 mm seat
The 2023 Honda Unicorn is an all-around commuter bike designed for everyday riders seeking reliability and eff…
#2232023 Kawasaki KLX230
2023 Kawasaki KLX230
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 20.3 hp · 132 kg · 884 mm seat
The 2023 Kawasaki KLX230 is a lightweight enduro bike designed for beginner and intermediate off-road riders s…
#2242023 Aprilia SR GT Sport 125
2023 Aprilia SR GT Sport 125
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 14.8 hp · 144 kg · 799 mm seat
The 2023 Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 is a lightweight scooter designed for urban commuters and new riders seeking …
#2252023 Lambretta V125 Special
2023 Lambretta V125 Special
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 11.3 hp · 86 kg · 770 mm seat
The 2023 Lambretta V125 Special is a retro-styled scooter ideal for urban commuters and casual riders seeking …
#2262023 TVS Star City
2023 TVS Star City
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 8.1 hp · 116 kg · 790 mm seat
The 2023 TVS Star City is a lightweight 110cc commuter motorcycle designed for budget-conscious everyday rider…
#2272023 Zero FX
2023 Zero FX
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 45.6 hp · 131 kg · 881 mm seat
The 2023 Zero FX is an electric dual-sport bike designed for urban riders seeking nimble, zero-emission commut…
#2282023 Suzuki Burgman 200
2023 Suzuki Burgman 200
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 18.1 hp · 163 kg · 735 mm seat
The 2023 Suzuki Burgman 200 is a practical mid-sized scooter designed for urban commuters and casual riders se…
#2292023 Italika 250 SZ
2023 Italika 250 SZ
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 57/100 · 17.6 hp · 126 kg · 780 mm seat
The 2023 Italika 250 SZ is a naked street bike for riders who want quarter-litre-class performance on a budget…
#2302023 Royal Enfield Classic 350
2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 20 hp · 195 kg · 805 mm seat
The 2023 Enfield Classic 350 is a lightweight, retro-styled cruiser powered by a modest 349cc single-cylinder …
#2312023 Kymco X-Town 300I
2023 Kymco X-Town 300I
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 24.1 hp · 185 kg · 800 mm seat
The 2023 Kymco X-Town 300i is a practical maxi-scooter designed for urban commuters and weekend riders seeking…
#2322023 Honda CRF300L
2023 Honda CRF300L
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 27 hp · 139 kg · 881 mm seat
The 2023 Honda CRF300L is a lightweight adventure bike designed for beginner to intermediate riders seeking af…
#2332023 Yamaha X-MAX 300
2023 Yamaha X-MAX 300
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 27.6 hp · 183 kg · 795 mm seat · 2 ratings
The 2023 Yamaha XMAX 300 is a practical maxi-scooter designed for commuters and leisure riders seeking comfort…
#2342023 Piaggio MP3 400
2023 Piaggio MP3 400
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 34.9 hp · 260 kg · 780 mm seat
The 2023 Piaggio MP3 400 is a practical mid-size scooter designed for daily commuters seeking comfort and conv…
#2352023 SYM DRGBT 160
2023 SYM DRGBT 160
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 14.6 hp · 135 kg · 803 mm seat
The 2023 Sym DRGBT 160 is a lightweight scooter designed for urban commuters seeking practicality and fuel eff…
#2362023 KTM RC 125
2023 KTM RC 125
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 15 hp · 147 kg · 824 mm seat · 2 ratings
The 2023 KTM RC 125 is a lightweight sport bike designed for beginner and young riders seeking an affordable e…
#2372023 Vespa GTS SuperSport 300
2023 Vespa GTS SuperSport 300
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 23.8 hp · 158 kg · 790 mm seat
The 2023 Vespa GTS SuperSport 300 is a stylish automatic scooter powered by a 278cc liquid-cooled four-stroke …
#2382023 Super Soco TSX
2023 Super Soco TSX
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 2.6 hp · 770 mm seat
The 2023 Super Soco TSX is a small electric commuter motorcycle for low-cost city riding. It makes 2.6 hp and …
#2392023 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
2023 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 26.9 hp · 148 kg · 800 mm seat
#2402023 KTM 250 EXC
2023 KTM 250 EXC
Popular beginner choice (US)
Score 56/100 · 45 hp · 103 kg · 960 mm seat
The 2023 KTM 250 EXC is a lightweight two-stroke enduro machine designed for riders seeking nimble off-road pe…